“Wake up, Garet! It’s nearly noon already!”

As I expected, it was Rust yelling at me for sleeping in again.

Ohh, wait. You don’t know him like I do, aha. Allow me to give you a bit of background on what’s going on.

I am Garet Brown. I’m 16 and... Well, I’ll get to the finer details in a minute. This other fella is Rust (also 16), my ridiculous dog friend who I happen to live with. He’s a total mess, but he’s really the only friend I’ve got. Anyways, back to me living with him. You see, we’re both living in this barely functional “orphanage” (if you can even call it that). I’m not surprised that it’s so bad, though. I heard the supervisor, Miss Taylor, only runs the place because her mother used to do the same thing before she passed. I guess it’s a family business of sorts, which explains why the “orphanage” is just Miss Taylor’s house with some added rooms. It’s rough, but it’s what I call home.

I can’t speak for Rust, but I can tell you what’s happened to me. Both of my parents died when I was young, and I’ve been living in this place for a couple years now with nobody wanting to free me from here (Though, I’m not surprised! None of these people know me like I know myself.). 

Anyways, I’m known for sleeping in rather late. I couldn’t be bothered to wake up earlier anyway, considering it would just be the other kids playing with each other or causing a ruckus, with Miss Taylor not caring enough to shut them up.

But I got up regardless. If Rust wants me to do it, I may as well do it. So, I got out of bed, put on some decently clean clothes, and got mostly ready for the day (about as ready as one can get living with a bunch of weirdos). I went downstairs to get ready for lunch, since I obviously missed breakfast. I heard from one of the other kids that Miss Taylor was gone (poor decision with all these disrespectful children around) to go get lunch for us from a local fast food joint. 

And wouldn’t you know it, quicker than I could process a single thought, Miss Taylor came inside with food for all of us.

“I’m here, kids! Who wants burgers?”

Terrible burgers. Excellent. I myself am not really one to eat much in a day, so I let Rust have the burger I was given (it would’ve tasted like soil anyway). I went back up to the bedroom while everyone else was eating. Not too long after, Rust followed me upstairs, as he usually does.

“Not in the mood to talk with the others again?” He asked.

“When am I ever? I swear I’m gonna break out of here as soon as I get the chance.”

“Is it worth it, though?” He sounded concerned. “I mean, think about what you’d lose: shelter, food… your only friend.”

“I know, I know, but you could always come with me if you wanted to.”

“Maybe you should think about this first-”

“I’m done thinking about it. Rust, I’m 16. That’s close enough to an adult. Soon enough, I won’t be staying here anyway. Plus, I much prefer my chances on the city streets than in… whatever this place is meant to be.”

Rust sat silent for a moment. “I want you to think about it. Let the rest of the day go by and think about this before you go to sleep tonight. If today goes poorly, you and I can find a way out of here together.”

“I like that idea.” I said.

So, I let the rest of the day go by, just like Rust suggested. I pretty much just sat around waiting for 8 PM (the time Miss Taylor wants all the kids to rest). I had dinner and, funnily enough, it was actually homemade this time. I assumed it would be something nasty from a fast food place or, like, a pizza for the millionth time, but I was proven wrong for the first time in a while. I say I’m always right, but even a working clock is wrong twice a day (Is that how that saying goes?). 

But the day went by, slow as can be, until eventually…

“Children, it’s time for bed!” Miss Taylor announced throughout the whole house.

I hopped in bed and thought about escaping, like usual. I think I’ll make a true escape plan tomorrow. Today was long, but tomorrow can be better. Tomorrow can always be better.